"'This is one more way for the government to take which does not belong to them,' Brown said. 'It’s our money they are taking away from us.'

"Earlier this month, Haslam proposed a 7-cents-per-gallon increase on gasoline to the state’s gas tax and a 12-cents-per-gallon increase on diesel. If approved, it would be the first time since 1989 Tennessee has raised its gas tax....

"The Libertarian Party was founded in 1971. According to their party platform, Libertarians strongly oppose any government interference into personal, family and business decisions. They believe all Americans should be free to live their lives and pursue their interests as long as they do not harm one another.

"Libertarian Gary Johnson ran for president of the United States in 2012 and 2016. Johnson received more than four million votes in the 2016 election.

"Tennessee has two Libertarian elected officials. Wallace Redd in Clarksville City Council, Ward 4, and Mike Sexton, Union County Commissioner in District 6.... Jesse Fullington is running as a Libertarian for state representative in the 79th District....

"'When you’re driving, spending more money at the pump, it costs more money to move things around,' Fullington said. 'Can you name one thing not transported without fuel? By the nature of raising transportation costs, it’s going to raise the value of the product. So groceries might be cheaper tax wise, but they will be more expensive. It either balances out and hits zero or the increase in the value of the product is going to be more than what the tax was to begin with'....

"If the Libertarian Party does not get at least 34,000 signatures in the state of Tennessee before the summer of 2018, all their Tennessee candidates, including Fullington, will have to run as independents during the 2018 midterm elections."